How to Lower Liver Enzymes

Recognizing Liver Disease

Learn what the liver does for your body. The liver aids both in glandular function and with other organ systems. It protects the body by detoxifying hormones, drugs, and any biological molecules not produced in the human body. The liver also synthesizes cholesterol and proteins that might otherwise lead to clotting and inflammation. It stores vitamins, minerals, and sugar while removing bacteria. The liver is involved in several important body functions, so it can become taxed by overuse. It's very important to return an overburdened liver to healthy enzyme levels to ensure all of these processes continue to function normally.

Educate yourself on conditions that can tax the liver. Partly because the liver performs so many essential functions, it is prone to a number of different diseases. There are a wide variety of diseases that can cause your liver enzyme levels to shoot up: Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): fats such as triglycerides and cholesterol accumulate in the liver. Hepatitis viruses: Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E all have different causes. However, each different type of hepatitis infection taxes the liver. Other infections that burden the liver include mononucleosis, adenoviruses, and cytomegalovirus. Tick bites and parasites can cause harmful diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or toxoplasmosis. Cancer that is often related to previous viral infections and liver cirrhosis Alcoholic hepatitis Jaundice Cirrhosis or the late-stage scarring of the liver

Recognize the symptoms of liver disease. Because the liver is involved in so many different processes, there is no single list of symptoms that point to liver disease. However, every liver disorder has both unique and shared symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, speak with your healthcare provider immediately: Yellowish skin and eyes that suggest jaundice Abdominal pain and swelling Swelling in the legs and ankles Itchy skin Dark yellow or reddish urine color Pale stools or bloody, tarry stools Chronic fatigue Nausea or vomiting Loss of appetite Weight loss Dry mouth, increased thirst A tendency to bruise easily

See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. See your doctor for a physical exam, and provide him with a complete medical history and description of your symptoms. The doctor will also order a Liver Function Test (LFT) analysis of a blood sample. The LFT will test for the levels of various liver enzymes and proteins. Your doctor will use that information to aid in diagnosis. Some of these enzyme tests include: AST (Aspartate aminotransferase): AST levels are analyzed to determine the likelihood of acute or chronic hepatitis. ALT (Alanine aminotransferase): ALT is used to detect and follow the progress of hepatitis and liver injury. High levels are found in those with alcoholism, viral hepatitis, and diabetes. The ratio between AST/ALT levels is often used to tell if liver disease is due to infection, inflammation, or alcohol use. ALP (Alkaline phosphatase): Can help diagnose bone disease, liver disease and gallbladder disorders. GGT (Gamma-glutamyl transferase): With ALP, can be used to distinguish between liver and bone disease. GGT is also useful to help determine alcohol history; it is increased in about 75% of chronic alcoholics. LD (Lactic dehydrogenase): LD (sometimes known as LDH) is used along with the other LFT values to monitor treatment of liver and other disorders. High levels are seen in various liver diseases, anemias, kidney disease, and infections.

Track your liver enzymes. If you have a history of liver disease, you may need liver tests every month or every six to eight weeks. Keep track of the numbers carefully. A downward trend in lab values over six to twelve months will indicate success in supporting the liver. Always keep your physician informed regarding any supplements you are taking, and let her know if there is any change in your symptoms.

Adjusting Your Diet

Eat plenty of leafy greens. Leafy green vegetables have high levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Importantly for liver function, they can lower the level of fat deposits in the liver. Leafy greens include spinach, collard, beet, turnip and mustard greens, kale, the cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts), Swiss chard, dandelion greens, and all lettuces.

Look for foods high in antioxidants. Beets alone won't lower your liver enzymes, but they're high in "flavonoids" that act as antioxidants that support liver function. Avocados can also be helpful, as they have a lot of vitamin E, which is an effective natural antioxidant. Avocados and walnuts have precursors for the body’s primary antioxidant — glutathione. Walnuts are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce liver inflammation. Other nuts, including walnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, and almonds also contain B vitamins and minerals in significant amounts.

Get 35–50 grams of fiber a day. Foods that are high in fiber prevent your body from absorbing cholesterol. By reducing the amount of cholesterol your liver has to process, you increase liver health and lower enzyme levels. Fiber also increases the liver's bile secretion, improving fat digestion and preventing liver disease down the line. Foods high in fiber include: Oat, wheat, corn, rice bran Beans (lima, adzuki, black, red, kidney, white,navy and pinto beans), lentils (red, brown and yellow) and peas Berries (raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, loganberry, gooseberry, boysenberry, salmonberry) Whole grains ( wheat, oats, corn, rye, teff, buckwheat, brown rice) Leafy green vegetables (Greens of turnips, mustard, collard, beets and Swiss chard, kale, and spinach) Nuts (almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts) and seeds (sesame, pumpkin, flax, sunflower) Fruit (especially those with edible rinds such as pears, apples, prunes, plums, peaches, apricots)

Drink citrus juices rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in tissue repair and wound healing. Eating citrus fruits or drinking their juices will help the liver heal, bringing enzyme levels back to healthy levels. Citrus fruits are also known to reduce the risk of liver cancer. Find ways to work oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes into your diet. When buying juices, look for products fortified with extra vitamin C.

Increase your consumption of cruciferous vegetables. The family of vegetables called "cruciferous vegetables" are known to balance the production of detoxifying liver enzymes. These "phase two detoxification enzymes" neutralize cancer-causing carcinogens in the body. These vegetables also have plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber: Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cauliflower Radishes Horseradish Rutabaga and turnips Wasabi Watercress

Ask your healthcare provider about your protein intake. Protein is usually the key to repairing damage in the body, so you might think you should increase protein to treat a strained liver. But because the liver is the organ processing the protein, you may overwhelm it with too much protein. This causes even more strain, further elevating your enzyme levels. Speak to your doctor and/or nutritionist about how much protein you should be consuming. They will be able to provide you with a plan specific to your body's needs.

Hydrate your body well. Drinking enough water will help your liver flush out waste products, reducing its work burden. Drink eight to ten 8 oz. glasses of water every day. Take special care to drink water at the following times: When you first wake up. Before and during meals. Before and after physical activity. Right before you go to bed.

Avoid foods that harm liver health.

Fatty foods like lamb, beef, chicken skin, foods made with shortening or lard, and vegetable oils. Salty foods like most processed and prepared foods, snacks like pretzels and chips, and canned foods. Sugary foods like cakes, pies, or cookies. Fried foods. Raw or undercooked shellfish (these may contain liver-damaging toxins). Alcohol (though it’s not a food) should be avoided as much as possible, especially if you already have liver disease.

Taking Herbs and Supplements

Drink herbal teas that improve liver health. There are many herbs that have been traditionally used to support liver function. Little is known about how these herbs function, but there is a long history of safe use. In general, most of these herbs have been given as teas, so dosing is not often clear. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and consult your physician for dosing. The doses listed here should only be used as guidelines. Milk thistle: Research suggests it may be most useful for those with alcohol-related liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatitis. Dosages range from 160-480 mg daily. Astragalus: The usual dose used is 20–500 mg of extract taken three to four times daily. Dandelion/Taraxacum root: Decreases cholesterol, reducing the burden on the liver. Drink two to four cups of dandelion root tea daily or two to four gm of root daily. Combination formulas: There are many of these on the market, though most have not been clinically tested. Examples include NOW’s Liver Detoxifier and Regenerator, Gaia Herbs Deep Liver Support, and Oregon’s Wild Harvest Milk Thistle Dandelion. Green tea: Reduces the risk of liver disease, but in some people, it can increase liver problems. The best course is to speak to your physician for advice regarding using green tea. In general, two to four cups of green tea has been shown to reduce the risk of liver disease.

Cook with garlic and turmeric. These herbs not only taste delicious, but are also known to improve liver health. Add these herbs to taste, and use at least one of these daily. Garlic also prevents liver cancer and heart disease and boosts the immune system. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that support the liver by decreasing the inflammation that leads to hepatitis, NASH, liver cancer, and cirrhosis.

Take antioxidant supplements. Though there are plenty of ways to get antioxidants through diet, supplements can help you get even more. Alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that has been studied in diabetes, heart disease and liver disease. It supports sugar metabolism in the liver and prevents alcoholic liver disease. The most common dose is 100 mg three times a day. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) serves as a precursor to glutathione, the body’s major antioxidant. The most common dose to support the liver is 200–250 mg twice daily. ALA may interact with diabetes medications, so consult your physician regarding the best dose. There have been rare cases where very high doses of NAC increased liver enzymes.